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Must-See: Obama's Key and Peele Skit at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Anastasia Pantsios
Apr. 27, 2015 11:04AM EST Climate

The annual White House Correspondents Dinner offers the President of the U.S. the opportunity to get in a few digs at his adversaries in the press as well as his political opponents—all in good fun, of course. But often, there's some real emotion behind the jesting, and so it was when President Obama spoke at the formal dinner which attracts the Washington elite as well as an increasing number of Hollywood celebrities.

After joking about the upcoming presidential primaries, saying things like "I for one can't wait to see who the Koch Brothers pick. Who will get that red rose?" Obama, famously known for his even-keel professorial manner of speaking, brought on his "Luther, the anger translator," played by actor Keegan-Michael Key to play his "id," saying things the unruffled Obama never would. [starts at 14:15]

"We do need to stay focused on some big challenges, like climate change," said Obama as his presentation drew to a close.

"Hey listen y'all, if you haven't noticed, California is bone-dry," Key rejoindered, as Obama appeared to ignore him. "It look like a trailer for the new Mad Max movie up in there. Y'all think Bradley Cooper came here because he wants to talk to Chuck Todd? He needed a glass of water!"

"The science is clear," Obama continued calmly. "Nine out of the 10 hottest years ever came in the last decade."

"I'm no scientist but I do know how to count to ten," his alter-ego shouted.

President Obama's "anger translator" becomes alarmed as Obama expresses his own anger about climate change. Photo credit: WhiteHouse.gov

But the President's own intensity rose as he continued to talk about climate change. "Look what's happening right now," he said. "Every serious scientist says we need to act. The Pentagon says it's a national security risk. Miami floods on a sunny day and instead of doing anything about it, we've got elected officials throwing snowballs in the Senate!"

"Luther" starts to express alarm as Obama drops his cool and starts yelling, "What about the kids? What kind of short-sighted, irresponsible ..."  Finally says that as far as climate change goes, "With all due respect, sir, you don't need an anger translator—you need counseling," as he backs off the stage.

Watch the President get emotional about climate change in the video.

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